All About You

Play Therapy, as is most commonly known, is a form of psychotherapeutic counselling for children and young people.

The child and the therapist use toys as their words and play as their language to communicate feelings, gain insight and find solution to problems.

To find out if Play Therapy is right for you and your child, feel free to book a discovery call.

Because using play means that the child can explore their thoughts and feelings in creative and dynamic ways, without having to use words to articulate themselves.

Addressing difficult emotions through play provides a layer of story or metaphor to what is being shared and felt. Metaphor can provide a degree of removal from experience for the child. It can feel safer and less intense for a child to express themselves or explore their experiences through play.

Talking about problems can be hard for children. A child may not have the words to describe how they are feeling, or why they are behaving as they do. A child may not be able to recognise what they find difficult, or explain it to someone if asked. Play Therapy provides the expertise and time to do this through play.

Let’s discuss this further, book a discovery call.

Play Therapy can address any emotional or behavioural difficulties a child may be exhibiting or experiencing.

This can include but is no way limited to:

• difficulties in focusing or concentrating,
• difficulties in sleeping (including bad dreams, night terrors and bedwetting),
• difficulties in developing independence,
• friendship struggles (including bullying and online harassment),
• social difficulties,
• sibling rivalry,
• parental separation,
• bereavement,
• irritability,
• anger,
• anxiety,
• defiance,
• poor self-confidence,
• self harming,
• depression,
• living with different abilities or diagnosed conditions.

Play Therapy also addresses more complex trauma such as childhood adversity experiences, and the experience of abuse or neglect. 

If you wish to discuss how Play Therapy can support your child’s specific needs, then book a discovery call.

The standard hourly rate is £60.

You will find we have more affordable rates in our all-inclusive packages.

Book a discovery call to find out more.

If you need to cancel a session, please give us enough advance by sending us an email or through our website.

To avoid additional charges, you will need to provide a minimum 24 hours’ notice prior to your appointment; therefore, if you miss a session, you will be charged the full amount.

If your child cannot attend a session, your booking may be rescheduled (dependent on availability) or transferred to the end of their therapy block.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions or contact us for more details.

Each child is unique, and therefore it is not possible to predict the outcomes your child may exhibit.

However, we can refer to the Play Therapy governing body (PTUK) research showing that during a 12-15 weeks block of short-term Play Therapy, 76% of children show ‘Significant Positive’, or ‘Positive’ change.

The figures at ‘No Change’ and ‘Negative Change’ indicate a longer term of therapy is required as the child is still processing their difficulties and therapy needs to be extended.

For the 4% of ‘Significant Negative Change’, it may be necessary to make a referral to the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service [EWMHS] (formally known as CAMHS).

It is for the reason that Play Therapy works best with no time limits and parents who are willing to extend their child’s therapy as long as necessary.

To learn more, feel free to book a discovery call.

Respecting your child’s right to confidentiality is an ethical principle and a fundamental requirement for keeping trust.

PTUK Play Therapists are ethically required to protect privacy and only make disclosures of confidential information after receiving the consent of the child concerned, their parent/carer, or the law. 

You can therefore trust that the issues and concerns discussed during your child’s Play Therapy engagement will remain confidential, and that should a concern be raised, this will be discussed with you and disclosed in a sensitive and lawful manner.

In Play Therapy children play as the medium to express themselves and what they are experiencing, simply because play makes sense to them.

Play is a child’s natural way of experimenting, communicating, learning, rehearsing, and mixing real with fantasy.

It is an integral part of childhood development across physical and cognitive domains, and is a vital part of all our lives whatever our age.

Each child is unique, and therefore it is not possible to predict the outcomes your child may exhibit.

Our experience has seen children more relaxed, seeking improved connection with family and friends, willing to learn, sleeping better, and able to enjoy more of life as a result of their engagement in Play and Creative Arts Therapy.

You may see your child bouncier, more confident, able to establish self-respecting boundaries, exhibiting increased self-worth, being more mature and independent… these are all characteristics usually seen in those who undergo Play Therapy treatment.

But don’t just take our word for it. Have a peek at what our clients have said about us.

You can contact us to discuss our current availability, and reserve your child’s weekly slot.

To refer your child, you can complete a referral form.

If there are no suitable slots available, you can join our waiting list or alternatively, book a discovery call to discuss your needs.

Once your slot is available, we will meet to discuss your concerns, conduct the initial assessments, set your desired outcomes, and book a date for your child’s initial Play Therapy session.

When your child attends their initial session, they will be asked if they consent to being in Play Therapy, and once they consent, your child’s treatment has begun.

If your child is naturally defiant, you don’t have to worry; we are skilled at supporting both you and your child throughout this process.

Evidence shows that children and young people can achieve their Play Therapy goals within as little as 12 sessions, however some children will require more time. 

To help you make the decision that is right for you and your child, whilst also respecting your child’s timing and allowing them the chance to complete each therapeutic cycle, Innerventure offers you both ad-hoc sessions or all-inclusive engagement packages, with the opportunity to review their treatment frequently.

We recommend you meet with your therapist every 7-8 sessions to discuss progress and agree the next steps; so even though your child’s timing is unique, you will know exactly what you are getting for your money, and what commitment we require from you and your child throughout their engagement.

See our package offers or book a discovery call for more information.

A Play Therapist is a qualified psychotherapist trained to use non-verbal communication to understand how children think, feel and behave in order to help them make sense of their life experiences and live a better future.

Check the Play Therapy Register to ensure your Play Therapist is adequately qualified.

Play Therapists use play to communicate with children; they will use toys as their words and play as their language.

This non-verbal communication means that the psychotherapeutic intervention Play Therapists offer will reach the child’s unconscious and not feel intimidating nor threatening to them.

Just as an adult would use words to process their experiences and gain insight in counselling sessions, Play Therapists will use the language of play and creativity to engage deeply with children and young people who are experiencing problems that may be interfering with family life, social participation, successful learning, and/or any other meaningful activity in a child’s life.

You can expect to feel comfortable and able to discuss anything that concerns you about your child and receive support, understanding and practical guidance from your Play Therapist.

Your Play Therapist will help you understand what your child may be wanting to communicate with their exhibited behaviour, and offer you strategies that help support your child’s process and psychological development.

In your review meetings, you and your Play Therapist will discuss your child’s progress and any remaining concerns so that together you can decide the next steps.

At Innerventure, you can contact your Play Therapist at any time by email, through our website or by booking a call .

A therapeutic cycle is the time your child needs to:

• develop trust in their therapist; 
• identify and expose disturbing feelings; and
• process their feelings to achieve improved emotional balance. 

When children complete this cycle (the timing is dependent on each child), we expect to see their therapeutic goals being met. 

It depends what you mean by ‘change’.

Play Therapy is accepting and considerate of your child’s uniqueness and wonderfulness; it aims to help your child make sense of overwhelming feelings and improve their emotional balance, it will encourage your child to find their own solutions and build upon their sense-of-self without ever changing who they truly are.

Search the Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapists to see if your therapist is registered. This register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority making the Play Therapist’s practice safe and of the highest quality.

For your information:

• A Trainee Play Therapist is at the beginning of their journey;
• A Certified Play Therapist has qualified and is a professional in their own right;
• An Accredited Play Therapist has achieved advanced professional status.Play Therapy is an effective
  intervention for all ages, and can be used from Reception to Key Stage 4 (ages
  3-16 years).

   

  Book a discovery call to further discuss your needs.

Most definitely.

Children and families from all walks of life and all characteristics whether protected by law or not are welcome at Innerventure.

At the point of referral, you will have the opportunity to let us know your or your child’s specific wishes and/or needs, and we will accommodate these to ensure you have the best possible experience with us.

Innerventure’s therapists are dedicated to helping children from all walks of life achieve their full potential, those who are experiencing adversities, who have been exposed to trauma, those with physical, learning and/or behavioural difficulties, and diagnoses such as ADHD, ASD, OCD, SPD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Downs, Tourette’s, etc.

At the point of referral, you will have the opportunity to let us know your or your child’s specific wishes and/or needs, and we will accommodate these to ensure you have the best possible experience with us.

You can expect to see shifts in your child’s behaviour.

We will discuss the most common and somewhat expected shifts during our initial meeting.

If you have any additional concerns, you can always contact your Play Therapist at any time by email, through our website or by booking a call.

Remember, we are in this together, so you will never have to feel alone.

Consistency, respect and collaboration.

When your child agrees to engaging in Play Therapy, they show willingness to accept help from their Play Therapist to explore difficulties which may be causing them some degree of distress. 

Your commitment to your child’s therapeutic journey involves:

• bringing them to their weekly Play Therapy sessions consistently;
• respecting their right to confidentiality (if you have any questions about their engagement, please ask your therapist instead);
• affording them sufficient time to complete a therapeutic cycle; and
• engaging in our regular review meetings to discuss their progress and next steps.

You can contact us at any time to request additional services or to review the provision agreed. You can also request additional services through our website or discuss your needs with your therapist during your review meetings.

Additional or ad-hoc services are charged at the standard hourly rate of £60 and will be calculated according to the time necessary to complete delivery to include any admin charges.

Bespoke requests will be quoted individually and our team will only proceed once you have formally agreed to it.